$2.4 billion Oakland Budget Approved

Post Date: Jun 30, 2015

The Oakland City Council last night approved a $2.4 billion two-year budget for fiscal years 2015-2017. The budget closes an estimated $18 million annual funding gap without making any cuts to City services or staffing levels. The Council voted with 6 members in favor, one opposed and one abstaining. The adopted budget includes funding for 40 new police officers, $1 million to fund new Special Investigations to reduce gun violence, and $617,000 to create a new Race and Equity Department and equity agenda.

“Thanks to the contributions of Oakland residents and City staff, our City leadership was able to pass a budget that illustrates our commitment to making Oakland an equitable city that is growing responsibly,” said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. “Working together through this process we’ve developed clear priorities and provided the funding and direction to reach our goals in a way that lifts us up as a whole so prosperity is shared.”

Mayor Schaaf’s budget priorities were to increase public safety using a holistic approach, improve the City’s physical infrastructure to create vibrancy and sustainability, support the creation of equitable jobs and housing, and be more responsive to requests for City services.

“I am proud to stand behind this work product,” said Oakland City Council President Lynette Gibson McElhaney. “I believe it is a budget that reflects our values, makes smart investments in services and will help us make Oakland a more just, safe and vibrant city.”

Council President Gibson McElhaney proposed the final budget amendments, which were developed through careful analysis of Mayor Schaaf’s proposal, as well as enhancements proposed by members of the public and fellow City Councilmembers.

The adopted budget balances competing needs for services throughout Oakland. Here are a few key highlights of the final adopted budget:

Holistic Community Safety

Adds 40 new police officers

Provides $1 million for Special Investigations to reduce gun violence and illegal gun dealing

Adds two crime analysts and two police evidence technicians to help solve crimes ($885,000)

Creates new positions to ensure police accountability reforms will be successful and sustained